Why I’ve Never Accepted A Travel Freebie

Susannah Cery - Founder

Our Tribe Travels is a global travel community for families who love adventurous travel. By sharing our family travel experiences, we help other members plan their own itineraries, safe in the knowledge that like minded family travellers have made the recommendations.

The Travel Freebie Scenario

The conversation usually starts like this…

“We would love to give you and your family a weekend experience in exchange for sharing your review with your family travel community. When would you like to take up the offer?”

The strange thing is, the assumption is that of course I’ll accept a complimentary stay, or a travel freebie. I always receive the same surprised response when I say “I’m sorry, but I have never accepted anything for free, but if you’re willing to pass it onto one of my community members to review, then let’s chat. Maybe we can collaborate in a different way?”

“I never started the Our Tribe Travels community to reduce my travel costs, be it accommodation, flights or travel related products. To be honest it had never crossed my mind“.

Because that’s the thing, I never started the Our Tribe Travels community to reduce my travel costs, be it accommodation, flights or travel related products. To be honest it had never crossed my mind. Seven months in, when the group had grown to 3,000 members, the requests started to trickle in. “But you’re an influencer, why don’t you want it? It’s one of the perks” Was another response. “If you really don’t like it then you don’t need to publish the review”.

“…if I accept the free stuff, I’m moving away from my core values, my desire to make adventurous family travel accessible to everyone“.

Helping To Make Adventurous Family Travel Accessible.

Over the years I’ve read hundreds of travel reviews and blog posts on hotel ‘X’ and resort ‘Y’. Do they look amazing? Absolutely. Those big fluffy robes, private pools and luxurious breakfasts look breathtaking, and are a far cry from our simple Airbnb finds.

But if I accept the free stuff I’m moving away from my core values. My desire to make adventurous family travel accessible to everyone. I want to travel the world on my terms, make my own choices and find the local gems to share with you.

I guess it’s my way of staying authentic and building trust. I love sharing my recommendations for travel products, apps and accommodation, but they ALWAYS have to fulfil three criteria;

I have to LOVE it and it has to align with the Our Tribe Travels’ core audience.

It has to offer great value (not to be confused with cheap – there’s a difference).

It’s something I would recommend it to a friend or my family.

“Our Tribe Travels is a family travel community, a platform for sharing, and that includes the freebies“.

Family Travel Community

Because here’s the thing; my passion is helping families to facilitate adventurous travel. And more often than not budget is a major sticking point. My husband and I have always sought out the local home-stays, budget guest houses and hostels that enhance our travel experience and give us a window into local life. We didn’t even stay in 5 star accommodation on our honeymoon, preferring to stay in small boutique guest houses.